Combined multilight incandescent lamp and switch



A. F. BAHLKE Oct. 24, 1939.

COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAMP AND SWITCH Filed March 7, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l {j 1/ in: NTOR C BY 7ATTORNEY A. F. BAHLKE 2,177,237

COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAMP AND SWITCH Oct. 24, 1939.

, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed-larch 7 I INV TO BY W MRNEY Oct. 24, 1939. B H 2,177,237

COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAMP AND SWITCH Filed March '7. 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'lNVENTOR a.

M TORNEY Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED MULTILIGHT INCANDESCENT LAIVIP AND SWITCH' tion of New Jersey Application March 7,

6 Glaims.

Many incandescent electric lamps today are manufactured with a plurality of filaments of different wattages related and combined with each other so that they may be placed in the electric circuit either separately or all together so as to secure at will illumination of varying degrees of novel and improved combination of a multilight lamp and a rotatable switch wherein the several filaments can be energized individually, that is,

deenergized, successively step-by-step in a continuous cycle, and a plurality of said cycles can be performed or completed during one complete revolution of the switch operating element so that only a small fraction of a revolution of said switch operating element shall be required for each step of a cycle and the degree of illumination can be varied easil quickly and with certainty.

Another object is toprovide such a combination of multi-filament lamp and switch wherein the lamp base and a switch operating ring rotatable-on the base have contact members, two or more of which are to be engaged selectively upon rotation of said ring, and novel and improved means is provided for ensuring yielding engagement of the contact member on said ring with the contact members on said base.

Another object is to provide novel and improved means for rotatably mounting said ring on the lamp base whereby the ring shall be smoothly and firmly guided in its rotation and shallbe positively held against movement longitudinally of the base.

A further object is to provide in a combination lamp and-switch of this character, a novel and improved construction and combination of contact members on the lamp base and the switch operating ring whereby the device shall be simple, inexpensive, reliable and durable.

A prime object of the invention is to provide a one at a time, and all at one time, and all can be- 1939, Serial No. 260,246

Other objects, advantages and results will appear from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a side elevation of a combination 5 multi-filament incandescent lamp and switch embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional 10 view showing on a further enlarged scale a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, the lamp bulb being shown in side elevation. 15

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 4 showing a modification of the invention.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a 0 portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 6 on a further enlarged scale.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 6 showing another modification of the invention, and

Figures 9 to 20 inclusive are Wiring diagrams showing the operations of the switch for controlling the circuits through the filaments of the lamp.

Specifically describing the invention, the refer- 30 ence character A designates the usual glass bulb or envelope of an incandescent lamp within which is mounted a plurality of filaments B and C which have a common terminal D and individual terminals E and F respectively. Generally, the two 35 filaments B and C are of different wattage, and in accordance with the invention are energized either individually or together as may be desired.

The lamp also includes a base G which is of generally known construction including an outer 0 screw threaded conducting shell terminal I to be screwed into an electric lamp socket, and a central terminal 2. The common terminal D of the filaments B and C is permanently connected to one of the terminals of the base, in the present 45 instance the central terminal 2. In accordance with the invention, a switch for controllingthe circuits through the filaments B and C is mounted on the base G, preferably exteriorly thereof.

As shown, a band 3 of insulating material is 50 secured exteriorly of the shell i adjacent the bulb A. A pair of contact members 4 and 5 for the respective terminals E and F of the filaments B and C, are secured in this insulating band and project from the circumference thereof. These 55 contact members are shown in the form of studs riveted in the band 3, and are insulated from the shell by the band and by openings 8 in the shell which provide a clearance between the shell and the riveted ends of the contact members. Another similar contact member 1 is connected to the band 3 in substantially the same way, and is also electrically connected to one of the terminals E or F. Preferably the filament B is a 20 watt filament, while the filament C is a 40 watt filament, and the contact member 4 is connected to the terminal E of the 20 watt filament, while the two contact members 5 and I are connected to the terminal F of the 40 watt filament.

A plurality of other contact members 8, 9 and ID are electrically connected to the shell I, these contact members also being in the form of studs riveted to the shell and projecting through openings II in the insulating band 3 so as to extend beyond the circumference of said band in a common plane with the contact members 4 and 5 that is normal to the axis of the base. The contact members 4 and 5 are spaced apart 30 circumferentially of the band 3, the contact member I8 is spaced 30 from the contact member 5, the contact member 9 is spaced 30 from the contact member 4, and the contact member 8 is spaced 30 from the contact member 9. The contact member 1 is spaced 60 from the contact member 8.

The various contact members 4, 5, 8, 9 and I cooperate with a'switch operating member that is in the form of a sectional ring H of insulating material and is rotatably mounted on the base G. Preferably the ring H is mounted to rotate coaxially with the base in overlying relation to the contact members, and the ring is formed of three approximately sector-shaped complemental sections I2 that are applied tothe base exteriorly thereof in the general plane normal to the axis of the base. The sections I2 are disposed in slightly circumferentially spaced relation to each other so as to be movable relatively toward and from the axis of the base, and are connected together by any suitable yielding means which tends to constantly influence the sections toward the axis of the base. As shown, the sections l2 have aligned circumferential exterior grooves 13 in which a metal split spring ring I4 is seated. The interior surface of the ring has a groove l which is of a width and depth to freely receive the insulating band 3 as shown in Figures 2 and 4 so that said band serves as a guide for rotation of the ring H and holds the ring against axial movement longitudinally of the base.

Within the groove l5 of the ring H is disposed a plurality of conductors 16 each of which has a pair of contact elements I! to engage the various contact members 4, 5, I, 8, 9 and I0 upon rotation of the ring H in one direction. As shown, the conductors I6 are equi-distantly spaced circumferentially of the ring H and insulated from each other. Each conductor is shown as being approximately 60 in length, and one conductor is secured in each of the sections l2 in the ring H. The conductors may be of any suitable construction; for example, each conductor may consist of a piece of conducting metal having the contact elements I! in the form of concave seats l8 at opposite ends of the conductor to engage the hemispherical or rounded ends l9 ofthe contact members. The seats or contact elements l8 are spaced apart 60 so that the two contact elements may simultaneously engage two of the contact members, while a contact member intermediate the two contact members in engagement with the contact elements, is

free from the conductor as shown in Figures 2 seat l8 has a shoulder 2| to engage one side of each contact member to prevent rotation of the ring H in one direction. The conductors l6 may be secured in the ring H in any suitable manner, for example by a moulding operation, the extremities of the conductors being beveled or otherwise formed at 22 so as to interlock with the material of the ring H.

It will be observed that relative movement of the sections l2 of the switch operating ring H under the yieldinginfluence of the split spring ring l4, insures yielding contact between the contact elements of the conductors and the con tact members 4, 5, 1, 8, 9 and I0.

The contact members 4, 5, 'l, 8, 9 and 10 are so related to' each other and to the conductors I! that successively in one cycle the filaments B and C may be energized individually and together and both of the filaments may be deenergized, and this cycle of operations may berepeated several times during a complete rotation of the switch operating ring H. This is schematically illustrated in Figures 9 to 20 inclusive. In Figure 9 one of the conductors l6 engages the 20 watt contact member 4 and the contact member 8 so as to connect one terminal of the 20 watt filament to the shell I, it being remembered that the other filament terminal is constantly connected to the central terminal 2 of the base. Thus the 20 watt filament is energized. The other two conductors are dead or in open circuit positions. Upon rotation of the switch operating ring in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, the first-mentioned conductor is moved so as to engage the 40 watt contact member 5 and the contact member 9, whereby the 40 watt filament is energized. Continued rotation of the ring H another step causes engagement of the first-mentioned conductor with the 20 watt contact member 4 and the contact member l0, and simultaneously engagement of another of the conductors with the 40 watt contact member I and the contact member 8, whereby both filaments are simultaneously energized. During the next step of rotation of the ring H in the same direction, the conductors are moved into positions out of contact with all of the filament contact members 4, 5 and I, so that none of the 'filaments are energized. 'Another cycle of opera-.

tions is illustrated in Figures 13 to 16 inclusive, while a third cycle of operations is illustrated in Figures 17 to 20 inclusive. From the position illustrated in Figure 20, the next revolution of the ring H is started so as to repeat the cycle illustrated in Figures 9 to 12inclusive.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figure 5 wherein an elastic or rubber band 23 embraces the sections l2 of the switch operating ring H, instead-of the split spring metal ring l4. The operation of this form of the invention is the same as that hereinbefore described.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another form of the invention wherein the conductors have spring contact elements to cooperate with the rigid contact members, and the switch operating ring is formed of two approximately semi-circular complemental sections instead of three sections as shown in Figure 2. The contact members 4, 5,

1, 8, 9 and ID are identical in construction and arrangement with that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, and the two sections 24 of the switch operating ring I are connected together by a metal split spring ring 25 seated in an exterior groove 26 in the ring I;

There are three conductors K mounted within an interior groove 260 in the ring I corresponding to the groove l of the ring H (see Figure 6). Eachconductor comprises a spring strip '21 secured intermediate its ends as by a rivet 28 to a base 29 the ends of which may be secured to the ring I as by moulding. The extremities of each conductor'are crimped at 30 to form contact elements for engagement with the contact members. Each contact element has a shoulder 3i to engage one side of each contact member and prevent rotation of the ring I in one direction, and preferably an auxiliary spring 32 is provided to engage behind said shoulder 3i and ensure engagementof the shoulder with the contact member. The structure and operation of this form of the invention is otherwise the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

Figure 8 shows another modification of the invention wherein the contact members are in the form of tubular eyelets or rivets 33, and each conductor, 34 comprises a spring strip having a protuberance 35 at each end forming a contact element to enter the open end of each tubular contact. Preferably one extremity of each conductor is formed at 36 to engage the sides of the tubular rivets 33 and limit rotation of the switch operating ring L in one direction. The structure and operation of this form of the invention is otherwise the same as that shown and described in connection wtih Figures 6 and '7.

It will be observed that the switch can be easily operated by simply gripping the switch operating rings H, I or L between the thumb and index finger of one end and rotating the ring coaxially of the base. To facilitate this action, the rings may have serrated, roughened surfaces, or a series of angularly disposed flat surfaces. Preferably the switch operating rings are rotatable in the same direction that a lamp is screwed into the lamp socket, so that rotation of the switch ring will not loosen or unscrew the lamp in the socket.

Obviously the details of structure of the lamp and switch, the number of filaments, the number and arrangement of the switch contact members and contact elements, the number of sections of the switch operating rings, and the manner of connecting the sections of said rings, may be widely modified and changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A combination multi-filament electric incandescent lamp and switch comprising a base having a shell terminal and a central terminal, a bulb, a plurality of filaments in said bulb, and switch mechanism mounted exteriorly on said base for electrically connecting said filaments selectively individually and together, to said base terminals including a ring coaxially rotatably mounted on said base andformed of a plurality of complemental' sector-shaped sections applied to said base in a plane normal to the axis of the base and relatively movable toward and from said axis, contact members carried by said base, other contact members carried by said ring and selectively engaged with said contact members on said base upon rotation of said ring, and resilient means coacting with said sections of said ring to press the contact members on said ring into engagement with the contact members on said base.

2. A combination multi-filament electric incandescent lamp and switch comprising a base having a shell terminal and a central terminal, a bulb, a plurality of filaments in said bulb, and switch mechanism mounted exteriorly on said base for electrically connecting said filaments selectively, individually and together to said base terminals including a direct common electrical connection between one terminal of each filament and one terminal of the base, and switch mechanism including at least one contact member directly electrically connected to the other terminal of each filament, a plurality of other contact members directly electrically connected to the other of said base terminals, and a switch operating ring rotatable on said base and having a plurality of segmental conductors spaced circumferentially of the ring and insulated from each other and each having a plurality of contact elements to engage various of said contact members upon rotation of said ring in one direction, the first-mentioned and second-mentioned contact members being located relatively to each other and said conductors so as to permit performance of a plurality of cycles of operations during one complete revolution of said switch operating ring, each cycle consisting of connecting in succession the first-mentioned contact members individually and all together to at least one of the second-mentioned contact members and disconnecting all of said first-mentioned contact members from said second-mentioned contact members.

3. A combination multi-filament electric incandescent lamp and switch comprising a-base having a shell terminal-anda central terminal, a bulb, two filaments in said bulb, and switch mechanism mounted exteriorly on said base for electrically connecting said filaments selectively, individually and together, to said base terminals including a direct common electrical connection' between one terminal of each filament and said central terminal of the base, two contact members one directly electrically connected to the other terminal of each filament and electrically insulated from said shell terminal, three other contact members directly electrically connected to said shell terminal, a switch operating ring rotatable coaxially on said base exteriorly thereof and having a plurality of conductors insulated from each other and equidistantly spaced circumferentially of said switch operating ring to engage said contact members upon rotation of said ring, each conductor being of a length of approximately sixty degrees, said contact members being arranged in spaced relation to each other circumferentially of said base so that upon each complete revolution of said switch operating ring in one direction said conductors will connect the various first-mentioned and secondmentioned contact members in a plurality of successive cycles, each cycle consisting of connecting in succession the first-mentioned contact members individually and all together to at least one of the second-mentioned contact members and disconnecting all of said first-mentioned contact members from said second-mentioned contact members.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch operating ring includes a plu- 5. The combination set forth in claim 3 where in said switch operating ring includes a plurality of complemental sector-shaped sections separably connected and applied to said base in a plane normal to the axis ot the base, said ring has an interior circumferential groove in which said contact members are disposed and one of said conductors is mounted in said groove of each section.

. 6. The combination setiorth in claim 3 wherein said switch operating ring includes a plurality of complementai sector-shaped sections separably connected and applied to said base in a plane normal to the axis of the base, and with the addition of a ring of insulating material secured exteriorly on saidishell on which the firstmentioned contact members are mounted, and said switch operating ring has an interior circumi'erential groove loosely siidably receiving said ring of insulating material, whereby the latter serves as a guide for said switch operating ring.

ALE-RED F. BAHLKE. 

